Buyers Meeting Point - Technologyhttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/tags/technology
Sun, 07 Jun 2020 06:04:47 -0400MYOBen-gbBook Review: Integrating Blockchain into Supply Chain Managementhttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/publications/bmp-book-reviews/entry/book-review-integrating-blockchain-into-supply-chain-management
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/publications/bmp-book-reviews/entry/book-review-integrating-blockchain-into-supply-chain-management“The advent of new technologies – most notably blockchain – has the potential to radically transform how transactions are recorded, stored and used throughout supply networks. The result: a transparent supply chain that, if the hype holds true, will usher in unprecedented levels of visibility, accountability, efficiencies, collaboration and trust.

- Remko Van Hoek et. al., p. 1

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Book ReviewsThu, 02 Jan 2020 16:15:03 -0500Low Hanging Fruit & The Snowball Effect in Digital Procurement Transformationshttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/low-hanging-fruit-the-snowball-effect-in-digital-procurement-transformations
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/low-hanging-fruit-the-snowball-effect-in-digital-procurement-transformationsTalk to any procurement leader in an international company and you’ll hear some common issues being raised. The lure of technology (especially big data and AI) and dangled carrots of opportunity to digitally transform the whole procurement function are all great but hard facts are getting in the way.
]]>Robin.Gurney@markit.eu (Robin Gurney)Guest PostsTue, 10 Dec 2019 11:28:43 -0500Recommended Procurement Webinars Feb 18-22: Sourcing Optimization, Cost Transparency and 2019 Tech Trendshttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-procurement-webinars-feb-18-22-sourcing-optimization-cost-transparency-and-2019-tech-trends
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-procurement-webinars-feb-18-22-sourcing-optimization-cost-transparency-and-2019-tech-trendsThis week and next week are busy, with 8 webinars currently scheduled for each. One thing I’ve noticed since starting back up in January is that webinar hosts are posting events with a bit less lead time than usual – sometimes less than a week – so make it part of your routine to look at our full calendar each Monday (or Friday afternoon) if you’d like to see a complete list.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Weekly Event RecommendationsMon, 18 Feb 2019 12:45:19 -0500Recommended Webinars September 24-28: Lagging Procurement Tech, Digital Financial Transformation, Software for Managing Freelancershttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-webinars-september-24-28-lagging-procurement-tech-digital-financial-transformation-software-for-managing-freelancers
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-webinars-september-24-28-lagging-procurement-tech-digital-financial-transformation-software-for-managing-freelancersThe last full week of September is going to be a busy one. There are 12 webinars taking place in three days and ProcureCon Indirect West will take place Monday through Wednesday in Scottsdale, AZ. A few of our good friends will be there, including Greg Tennyson, Michael Shaw, Joanna Martinez, Phil Ideson, and Bill Michels.

If you’re looking to plan your webinar schedule beyond this week, I recommend RPA - The BIG Picture 2018 from IRPA AI and Virtual Operations on October 10th at 12n ET.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Weekly Event RecommendationsMon, 24 Sep 2018 10:53:57 -0400Recommended Procurement Webinars March 12-16: Selecting RPA, Surviving Tech Hype, and Blockchain War Storieshttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-procurement-webinars-march-12-16-selecting-rpa-surviving-tech-hype-and-blockchain-war-stories
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-procurement-webinars-march-12-16-selecting-rpa-surviving-tech-hype-and-blockchain-war-storiesAfter a slow couple of weeks, the calendar is once again buzzing with activities. In addition to the webinars recommended below, ProcureCon Pharma is happening in Zurich on the 13th through the 15th and Procurement Leaders’ World Procurement Congress is happening in London on March 15-16. If you like to plan further ahead, I recommend “Applying B2C Strategies to Corporate Procurement” from BuyerQuest on March 28th. Click on the title of each recommended webinar below to view the full description and register.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Weekly Event RecommendationsMon, 12 Mar 2018 14:10:09 -0400Recommended Procurement Webinars Jan 15-19: Translating Cutting-edge Technologies into Measurable Valuehttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-procurement-webinars-jan-15-19-translating-cutting-edge-technologies-into-measurable-value
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-procurement-webinars-jan-15-19-translating-cutting-edge-technologies-into-measurable-valueAnother week, and another ten new webinars are added to our calendar for January and February. My recommendations for this week are below, but if you’d like a ‘long shot’ event worth considering, I recommend ‘How Much Data Accuracy is Enough?’ from S&DCE, Oliver Wight, and the SAS Institute on January 31st. Click on the title of each recommended webinar below to view the full description and register.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Weekly Event RecommendationsMon, 15 Jan 2018 17:00:59 -0500Recommended Procurement Webinars Jan 8-12: An ‘Ardent’ Start to the New Yearhttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-procurement-webinars-jan-8-12-an-ardent-start-to-the-new-year
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/recommended-procurement-webinars-jan-8-12-an-ardent-start-to-the-new-yearHappy New Year! We’re off and running – I added 11 new webinars to the calendar in January and February this weekend. Of all the new year’s resolutions, Ardent Partners’ were apparently the most resolute! They aren’t missing a beat, and as a result they dominate this week’s recommendations. Click on the title of each recommended webinar below to view the full description and register.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Weekly Event RecommendationsMon, 08 Jan 2018 19:30:27 -0500Blockchain: Disrupting Procurement and the Supply Chainhttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/blockchain-disrupting-the-procurement-and-supply-chain-deb
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/blockchain-disrupting-the-procurement-and-supply-chain-debIf you have heard a lot about blockchain but don't really know what it is, you're not alone. The success of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has given blockchain a major leap forward. But cryptocurrencies aren't the only place where blockchain technology makes itself useful. It can completely disrupt procurement and supply chain operations. First, however, it's important to have a bird's eye view of blockchain.
]]>DeepeshJethwani@gep.com (Deepesh Jethwani)Guest PostsTue, 03 Oct 2017 19:45:00 -0400Time to Renew Your Office 365 Deal – Where Should You Place Your Bet?http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/time-to-renew-your-office-365-deal-where-should-you-place-your-bet
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/time-to-renew-your-office-365-deal-where-should-you-place-your-betSourcing managers with a Microsoft enterprise agreement (EA) that is about to expire face an important decision and may have many questions. Should they renew their next EA along the same lines as they did three years ago? Expand it to embrace Microsoft’s new cloud-based services, including the Office 365 suite? Scale it back significantly to save money?

Fundamental changes in Microsoft’s product and licensing strategies mean drastic changes to its software assurance’s (SA) value. Your decision criteria will be very different from when you last evaluated your EA, and any related decision involves placing bets on your organization’s future deployment of Microsoft products.

Where should you place your bet?

]]>RamakrishnanIyer@gep.com (Ramakrishnan Iyer)Guest PostsWed, 02 Aug 2017 16:46:48 -0400Contingent Workforce Management: Advantages of an Integrated Managed Services Program and Vendor Management Software Modelhttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/contingent-workforce-management-advantages-of-an-integrated-managed-services-program-and-vendor-management-software-model
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/contingent-workforce-management-advantages-of-an-integrated-managed-services-program-and-vendor-management-software-modelOrganizations that are not leveraging a managed service provider (MSP) and vendor management system (VMS) may be paying too much for contingent talent and are at risk of noncompliance with various labor and benefit laws. They are also likely to have challenges involving time to source quality talent.

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AllieBenShlomo@prounlimited.com (Allie Ben-Shlomo)Guest PostsThu, 08 Jun 2017 19:43:30 -0400Jaggaer and Pool4Tool: A Merger that Highlights the Fracturing of Procurementhttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/jaggaer-and-pool4tool-a-merger-that-highlights-the-fracturing-of-procurement
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/jaggaer-and-pool4tool-a-merger-that-highlights-the-fracturing-of-procurementI had the opportunity to speak with representatives from both Jaggaer and Pool4Tool last week in anticipation of this week’s ‘official’ merger announcement. We talked about geography, market share, and functionality and customer overlap.

By far, the most interesting part of our conversation was about the plans for their new combined go-to-market strategy. And while it demonstrates how thoughtfully this new entity is approaching the market as a whole, it also provides an excellent opportunity for procurement to reflect upon the increasing granularity of spend management.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)ProcurementMon, 05 Jun 2017 21:15:32 -0400Achieving World-Class Procurement Part 2: Taking a Deep Look at Your Current Operationshttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/achieving-world-class-procurement-part-2-taking-a-deep-look-at-your-current-operations
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/achieving-world-class-procurement-part-2-taking-a-deep-look-at-your-current-operationsAs I mentioned in Achieving World-Class Procurement Part 1, today’s increasingly competitive market landscape is driving organizations to reinvest in their procurement and strategic sourcing departments like never before. Beyond establishing centralized purchasing operations, best-in-class companies are elevating their procurement organizations by taking a deeper look at people, processes, technology, and metrics and optimizing them in ways that support enterprise-wide goals – through procurement transformation. Transformation initiatives allow companies to gain more value from their procurement operations, moving from a reactionary model focused on reducing costs to a more proactive approach to managing spend that streamlines purchasing practices and enhances supplier relationships.

]]>KenBallard@sourceoneinc.com (Ken Ballard)Guest PostsWed, 05 Apr 2017 09:42:05 -0400The Great North/South Dividehttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/the-great-north-south-divide
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/the-great-north-south-divideThe principle of a North/South divide has been around for as long as mankind has organized itself into societies. It is a term often used within politics to define the ‘North of the country from the South’. It doesn’t matter if you are referening to the USA, UK, or India, the statement is still applicable. It works on the principle things may be considered different between two groups, thereby creating a barrier to collaboration.

The key to the model is achieving the right perspective. For example, we may embrace a North/South divide within our countries yet still passionate about being part of the same country. Overcoming the divide requires a common agenda, one that everyone can get behind regardless of which side of the divide they are from.

]]>mike.robertson@podprocurement.com (Mike Robertson)Guest PostsWed, 10 Aug 2016 11:53:32 -0400Best Procurement and Supply Chain Webinars 5/2 - 6http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/best-procurement-and-supply-chain-webinars-5-2-6
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/best-procurement-and-supply-chain-webinars-5-2-6This week’s recommendations are all focused on the very latest in procurement technology, and – more importantly – what it allows the organization to accomplish. Click on the title of each event below to view the full description in our events calendar and to connect to their registration pages.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Weekly Event RecommendationsMon, 02 May 2016 09:58:33 -0400Best Procurement and Supply Chain Webinars 11/9 – 11/13: Healthcare, the Tech Agenda, 3rd Party Managementhttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/best-procurement-and-supply-chain-webinars-11-9-11-13-healthcare-supply-chains-the-technology-agenda-and-3rd-parties-management
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/best-procurement-and-supply-chain-webinars-11-9-11-13-healthcare-supply-chains-the-technology-agenda-and-3rd-parties-managementThis week’s picks are definitely for big thinkers. Big as in big challenges and big opportunity for the organizations that get it right. In addition to the webinars below, Directworks is running a live demonstration of their 2.0 solution on November 11th from 2-3pm EST. Click on the title of each event below to view the full description in our events calendar and to connect to their registration pages.
]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Weekly Event RecommendationsMon, 09 Nov 2015 09:39:00 -0500Actively Managing Procurement's Imagehttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/actively-managing-procurement-s-image
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/actively-managing-procurement-s-imageIn September, Procurement Leaders ran an article by Tyler Chamberlain, Coupa’s global head of spend management, on the benefits of getting a solid procurement function established earlier in a company’s growth curve.

As he stated in the article’s title, “If it ain’t broke, don’t wait until it is.” The premise is that making investments in procurement talent and technology before problems arise prevents many problems from ever arising. Supplier records that are managed well from day one never need a massive clean up. Processes that have been in place as long as anyone can remember don’t have to overcome compliance hurdles. Spend that is managed centrally never has the chance to break between direct and indirect.

Perhaps more importantly, and as I had an opportunity to discuss with Chamberlain (click here to hear the conversation on BMP Radio), procurement has control of their internal image from the outset and can build their brand around positive results rather than problem resolution. When we hear Chamberlain’s message from this perspective, all organizations and procurement teams benefit from his recommendations, not just the start-ups.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)ProcurementWed, 21 Oct 2015 00:42:00 -0400Guest Post on the Social Contracting Blog: P is for Procurement... except when it isn'thttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/guest-post-on-the-social-contracting-blog-p-is-for-procurement-except-when-it-isn-t
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/guest-post-on-the-social-contracting-blog-p-is-for-procurement-except-when-it-isn-tClick here to read this post on the Social Contracting blog.

The Finance team manages the finances of the enterprise. Marketing people market services and solutions to the purchaser (or customer). Human resources manages… well humans.

Given those examples, you would think that Procurement handled procurement. In an ironic twist, this is becoming less and less true—especially as technology evolves and blurs the line between Procurement as an entity and procurement as a process.

]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)ProcurementThu, 24 Sep 2015 05:23:00 -0400Best Procurement and Supply Chain Webinars 9/14–18: BYOI – Bring Your Own Imaginationhttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/best-procurement-and-supply-chain-webinars-9-14-18-byoi-bring-your-own-imagination
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/events-calendar/weekly-event-recommendations/entry/best-procurement-and-supply-chain-webinars-9-14-18-byoi-bring-your-own-imaginationThis week’s events represent a wide range of topics as well as some of the companies we don’t hear from quite as often. Interestingly enough, I’m starting to see the old players of Ariba (now SAP) and Emptoris (as IBM) making a comeback in events and marketing. One thing all these topics have in common is the idea that imagination is a key component to a sustainable vision for the future. Click on the title of each event below to view the full description in the events calendar and to connect to their registration pages.
]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)Weekly Event RecommendationsSat, 12 Sep 2015 11:44:03 -0400Three Things ‘Rock Star’ CPOs Know About Procurement Influencehttp://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/three-things-rock-star-cpos-know-about-procurement-influence
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/three-things-rock-star-cpos-know-about-procurement-influenceLast month I had the opportunity to speak with Dave Bowen, Xchanging’s US Country Manager and CEO of MM4. Xchanging has now released two parts of the research they conducted into procurement and supply chain. You can read my coverage of the first two parts here and here.
]]>kelly@buyersmeetingpoint.com (Kelly Barner)ProcurementWed, 02 Sep 2015 03:47:00 -0400Tomato, Tomato… Analysis, Analytics?http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/tomato-tomato-analysis-analytics
http://buyersmeetingpoint.com/blogs/entry/tomato-tomato-analysis-analyticsSpend analysis solutions have long been critical enablers of procurement organizations. Over the last couple of years, however, the term analysis has gradually been replaced by analytics. In order to gather information on this transition, I reached out to Rosslyn Analytics, a company that has operated under the ‘analytics’ label since their founding in 2005, long before it was the prevailing term. I'd like to thank them for their help in putting this post together.

Let me begin by giving working definitions for both terms. According to BigDataCraft.com,

“Analysis is the examination process itself where analytics is the supporting technology and associated tools.”